Preparing for the move on Friday were, from left, Cr Collin Ross, Cr George Blenkhorn, Cr Graeme Legge, mayor Bill Pearson, Casey Cardinia Library Corporation chief executive Peter Carter, the library’s finance manager Pam Vickers and youth services officer Julie Adam. 34819
A CHAPTER in the 18-year history of the Pakenham Library closed on Friday as staff prepared to move to a temporary facility.
The library, on John Street, shut shop at 6pm – for the last time – and books and other loan items were boxed on the weekend.
The big move began on Monday and the temporary library, between the CFA running track and Pakenham Pool, will open on Monday 24 August.
Casey Cardinia Library Corporation chief executive officer Peter Carter said staff and patrons were excited about the pending development of a $7.1 million library/hall facility.
Mr Carter said the community had outgrown the current building.
In 1991-92, the first year of the library being open, 50,000 people passed through the library’s doors and 119,900 items loaned.
During the last financial year, 142,000 people used the facility and 320,694 loans were issued.
“Over the whole of the building’s life, 1.85 million people have walked through the door and there have been 4.2 million loans,” Mr Carter said.
He said the temporary library would adequately service the community needs for about 18 months while the new library was built at PB Ronald Reserve.
The new facility will be almost twice the size of the former library, have about three times more computer space and 50,000 items on the shelves.
